upper class

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR upper class ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a class of people above the middle class, having the highest social rank or standing based on wealth, family connections, and the like.

Nearby words

upper canadian, upper carboniferous, upper case, upper chamber, upper chinook, upper class, upper crust, upper darby, upper deck, upper east side, upper egypt

Origin of upper class

First recorded in 1830–40

Related forms

up·per-class, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for upper class

Upper-class families, or those with educated children, are not free to duck custom either.
The Despicable Persistence of the Dowry in India|Nishita Jha|August 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But it seems to me wholly wrong to contend, as Murray does, that such beliefs are rejected by upper-class Americans today.
Now All Americans Are Losing Ground|David Frum|February 8, 2012|DAILY BEAST
A middle-class woman to boot, she ran the gauntlet of upper-class men marinated in sexism and class prejudice.
The Sexy Side of Maggie: How Thatcher Used Her Softer Quality|Gail Sheehy|January 11, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The upper-class vowels were unforced, and the confident manner suggested good breeding and an expensive education.
The Mastermind Behind the U.K.'s Smash|William Underhill|September 18, 2011|DAILY BEAST

Zawahiri was born to an upper-class family in Cairo known for producing diplomats and doctors.
Bin Laden’s Replacement|Bruce Riedel|June 16, 2011|DAILY BEAST
A kind of screen used in upper-class houses: see illustration.
Diaries of Court Ladies of Old Japan|Various
To Marjorie's secret disgust, Marcia Arnold was among the number of upper-class girls chosen to chaperon the picnickers.
Marjorie Dean High School Freshman|Pauline Lester
"No, I don't believe very much in marriage—modern, upper-class marriage," she repeated.
The History of Sir Richard Calmady|Lucas Malet
The upper-class Romans became, as it were, the experts, the specialists of war and empire and administration.
The Evolution of States|J. M. Robertson
And his wife and daughter are helpless, conventional, upper-class rabbits.
The Art Of The Moving Picture|Vachel Lindsay

British Dictionary definitions for upper class

upper class

noun

the class occupying the highest position in the social hierarchy, esp the wealthy or the aristocracy

adjective (upper-class when prenominal)

of or relating to the upper class

US education of or relating to the junior or senior classes of a college or high school

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

upper class

noun

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of upper class

Related forms

Examples from the Web for upper class

British Dictionary definitions for upper class

upper class

noun

adjective (upper-class when prenominal)